Air India to make 6 percent profit this fiscal, first since merger

Ahmedabad: For the first time since merger of Indian Airlines into Air India, the national carrier is likely to report an operating profit of about Rs six crores in the current fiscal, owing to a combination of factors including lower fuel costs and Dreamliner operations, among others.

The Dreamliners (Boeing 787-800) are helping the company to turnaround it's business in a big way, said Anil Mehta, the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the AI Chairman and Managing Director.

At present, the state-run carrier has 21 Boeing 787-800 aircraft in its fleet of 107 planes.

"These (Dreamliner) aircraft have reduced our operating costs and increased our operating revenues in recent years... we will post an operating profit in the range of Rs 6 to Rs 7 crore this year," Mehta said during a press conference.

The airline is benefiting from fall in crude oil prices and improved operational efficiency, he had said.